Weekend Kitchen Tip – Getting Garlic Off Your Hands

I often get asked for tips for cooking traditional foods gluten free, grocery shopping, kitchen short cuts and any tip that will help people save time, money and eat safely. I thought I would try and pass these along to you on a weekend post. I hope you find these helpful and feel free to add on and share your favorite tips. If you have a question please ask and if I don’t know the answer I’ll try and find it for you.

How many people are hesitant to cook with garlic because they can’t get the smell of garlic off their hands? Here is a sure fire way that works. After you are done peeling or working with the garlic, turn on your faucet to cold and let the water run. Next slap or brush your hands across each other, up and down, under the running cold water. This will knock off the garlic oils from your hands. If you were to use hot water it would allow the garlic oil to seep into your skin even if you are using soap. This is often our instinct. Give it a try and you’ll be surprised that something so simple could work.

14 Responses to Weekend Kitchen Tip – Getting Garlic Off Your Hands

I also find that using an acidic substance like lemon juice or vinegar also helps a lot – just do a quick rinse of vinegar/lemon juice with your hands before washing them. This is also especially useful for cleaning items like your garlic press if you forgot and didn't rinse it right away…

If you have a stainless steel sink you can rub your hands on it as well. I have a stainless steel "bar of soap" that I use for garlic/onion odor. You're right about the cold water, I always use cold water in this instance. Love the weekend tip!!

Shirley- I always forget about stainless steel. I love that tip. Thank you for sharing it! My little chef was a gift from my mother in law. I always loved those big pigs with the sign they held up but they are way too big for my kitchen. I would actually need counter top space not filled with cooking equipment. He's fun to have and leave messages on for my family. Right now he says, Try the Fruit. Hope that message sinks in.

You have to sort through all of your things in order to pack them so take advantage of this opportunity to start fresh in your new place. As you pack your kitchen items ask yourself if you really need/use it. Be honest with yourself here, your answers will save you space and sanity. Get rid of anything that is clutter – anything that is just taking up space, not used at all, or not used enough to warrant keeping it.